Color-coding interchangeable pocket liner

ABSTRACT

A coded pocket liner system having a first translucent flexible bag of a first predetermined size having a first color-coded indicium and a closure device disposed at an open end thereof. The first translucent flexible bag is adapted for insertion into a pouch. A second translucent flexible bag of a second predetermined size includes a second color-coded indicium and a closure device disposed at an open end thereof. The second translucent flexible bag is adapted for insertion into the pouch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The contents of satchels and purses are frequently disorganized,resulting in the difficulty of finding particular items in thesepouches.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a coded pocket liner systemhaving a first translucent flexible bag of a first predetermined sizehaving a first color-coded indicium and a closure device disposed at anopen end thereof. The first translucent flexible bag is adapted forinsertion into a pouch. A second translucent flexible bag of a secondpredetermined size includes a second color-coded indicium and a closuredevice disposed at an open end thereof. The second translucent flexiblebag is adapted for insertion into the pouch.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a coded pocket linersystem having a first flexible bag of a first predetermined size havingfirst identifying indicium and a closure device disposed at an open endthereof. The first flexible bag is adapted for insertion and storage ina pouch and adapted to contain accessories. A second flexible bag of asecond predetermined size includes second identifying indicium and aclosure device disposed at an open end thereof. The second flexible bagis adapted for insertion and storage in the pouch and adapted to containaccessories.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method foridentifying the contents of a pouch. A first translucent flexible bag isprovided of a first predetermined size having a first indicium and aclosure device disposed at an open end thereof. A second translucentflexible bag is provided of a second predetermined size having a secondidentifying indicium and a closure device disposed at an open endthereof. The first and second translucent flexible bags are insertedinto a pouch. The contents of the first translucent flexible bag aredetermined by identifying the first indicium. The contents of the secondtranslucent flexible bag are identified by identifying the secondindicium.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a translucentflexible bag for insertion into a pouch;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a pouch with a plurality oftranslucent flexible bags;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the translucent flexible bag ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first side elevational view of the translucent flexible bagof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the translucent flexible bag ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a second side elevational view of the translucent flexible bagof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the translucent flexible bag of FIG.1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the translucent flexible bag ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a translucent flexible bag withmagnetic connecting members;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of several translucent flexible bagswith differing indicium;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a pouch having severaltranslucent flexible bags disposed therein, one of which has beenwithdrawn;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a pouch having severaltranslucent flexible bags, wherein a user is removing the contents ofone of the bags;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a pouch having severaltranslucent flexible bags, wherein a user has removed two of the bags;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a system foraudibly recording the contents of a flexible bag;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a flexible bagincorporating a recording device; and

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a flexible bagincorporating an illuminating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 10 generallydesignates a coded pocket liner system having a first translucentflexible bag 12 of a first predetermined size having a first indicium 14and a closure device 16 disposed at an open end 18 thereof. The firsttranslucent flexible bag 12 is adapted for insertion into a pouch 20. Asecond translucent flexible bag 22 of a second predetermined sizeincludes a second indicium 24 and a closure device 26 disposed at anopen end 28 thereof. The second translucent flexible bag 22 is adaptedfor insertion into the pouch 20.

For purposes of minimizing duplicity in explaining the bagconstructions, an explanation of the construction of only the firsttranslucent flexible bag 12 will be provided below. It will beunderstood that other bags described herein will have similarconstructions and will differ only in size and capacity.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the first translucent flexible bag 12 includes afront wall 30 and a rear wall 31. A bottom wall 32 connects with abottom portion of the front wall 30 of the first translucent flexiblebag 12. The bottom wall 32 and front wall 30 of the first and secondtranslucent flexible bags 12, 22 define an interior cavity 34. Thebottom wall 32 provides support to the first translucent flexible bag 12when removed from the pouch 20. A plurality of seams 36 are shown in thefirst translucent flexible bag 12 adjacent the bottom wall 32, such thatthe first translucent flexible bag 12 may be folded or rolled into acompacted position. The number of seams 36 may influence the holdingcapacity of the interior cavity 34. Thus, it is contemplated that seams36 may be disposed in various positions in the first translucentflexible bag 12 to provide more or less storage volume to the interiorcavity 34 of the first translucent flexible bag 12. A top portion 37 ofthe first translucent flexible bag 12 includes a band 38 that providesadditional structural integrity to the open end 18 of the firsttranslucent flexible bag 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8 in the illustrated embodiment, a strap 40 extendsthrough the band 38. The strap 40 is designed to cinch the open ends 18,28 of the first and second translucent flexible bags 12, 22 to a closedposition. A cinching device 42 is provided to maintain the open end 18of the first translucent flexible bag 12 in the closed position.

In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the band 38 does notinclude the strap 40, but instead includes first and second magneticmembers 42, 44 that are attracted to one another and disposed in theband 38. The first magnetic member 42 is disposed in the band 38adjacent the front wall 30 and the second magnetic member 44 is disposedin the band 38 adjacent the rear wall 31. The first and second magneticmembers 42, 44 maintain contact with each other through the band 38,thus keeping the open end 18 in a closed position until a user forcesthe first and second magnetic members 42, 44 apart to access thecontents of the first translucent flexible bag 12.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, it is contemplated that multiple bags, such asthe first, the second, and a third translucent flexible bags 12, 22, 52,as shown in FIG. 10, may be utilized. Each of the bands 38 of the first,second, and third translucent flexible bags 12, 22 52, are shown havinga different indicium disposed thereon. It is contemplated that the firstindicium 14 may be of a tactile nature, that is, the band 38 of thefirst translucent flexible bag 12 may include bumps, the second indicium24 on the band 38 of the second translucent flexible bag 22 may includea star design, and the band 38 of the third translucent flexible bag 52may include a third indicium 60 with a hatch design, which can bereadily determined by a sense of touch from a user. Alternatively,discriminating between the translucent flexible bags 12, 22, 52 may bedetermined by the color of the band, wherein the small bumps on the band38 of the first translucent flexible bag 12 designate a firstcolor-coded indicium, the stars of the band 38 on the second translucentflexible bag 22 designate a second color-coded indicium, and thehatching on the band 38 of the third translucent flexible bag 52designates yet another color-coded indicium. When the translucentflexible bags 12, 22, 52 are secured in the pouch 20, as shown in FIGS.11-13, the contents 62 of each flexible bag 12, 22, 52 can be readilydiscerned based on associating that particular flexible bag 12, 22, 52with a particular accessory or item that is stored within the flexiblebag 12, 22, 52. As a result, the contents 62 can be located in theflexible bag 12, 22, 52 and be removed while the flexible bag 12, 22, 52is still in the pouch 20. Alternatively, the flexible bag 12, 22, 52 canbe quickly and easily removed in its entirety from the pouch 20, asshown in FIG. 11. The contents 62 inside the flexible bag 12, 22, 52 maythen be removed, as shown in FIG. 12.

Referring now to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, asdepicted in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bag 12 may include a recording device69 designed for customization by a user. To use the recording device 69,the user actuates a button 72, holding the button 72 down (step 70), andsimultaneously records the contents 62 of the flexible bag 12 (step 74).Stated differently, the items the user intends to place in the flexiblebag 12 are recorded by the user. The information provided by the user isstored in a small memory device 75. When the contents 62 of the flexiblebag 12 have been recorded, the button 72 is released (step 76). At alater time, when the user wishes to discover the contents 62 of theflexible bag 12 without having to look in the flexible bag 12, the usersimply actuates the button 72 by pressing and releasing the button 72quickly (step 78). The button 72 activates the memory device 75, whichsimultaneously instructs a bag speaker 80 (step 82) to play back therecording originally recorded by the user that states the contents 62 ofthe flexible bag 12. It is contemplated that the recording device 69 maybe present in any of the flexible bags 12, 22, or 52.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG.16, a lighting device 89 includes a light bar 90 that is operablyconnected to a battery source 92. A proximity or touch sensor 94disposed at the top of the flexible bag 12 is operably connected withthe light bar 90, and when the touch sensor 94 is activated by anindividual's finger or hand, the touch sensor 94 sends a signal to thelight bar 90 to activate, drawing energy from the battery source 92.Accordingly, in a dark room, a user can determine the contents 62 of theflexible bag 12 based on the color of the light bar 90, which isindicative of the contents 62 of the flexible bag 12. In addition, it iscontemplated that the light intensity may be sufficient to illuminatethe interior of the flexible bag 12 such that a user can readilyascertain the contents 62 of the flexible bag 12. It is contemplatedthat the lighting device 89 may be present in any of the flexible bags12, 22, or 52.

A method for identifying the contents of a pouch, such as a satchel orpurse, includes providing a first translucent flexible bag of a firstpredetermined size and having a first indicium and a closure devicedisposed at an open end of a first translucent flexible bag. A secondtranslucent flexible bag is also provided that has a secondpredetermined size and a second identifying indicium. A closure deviceis disposed on an open end of the second translucent flexible bag. Thefirst and second translucent flexible bags are inserted into a pouch andthe contents of the first and second translucent flexible bags aredetermined by first identifying the indicium disposed on or near theopen end of each of the first and second translucent flexible bags.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

1. A coded pocket liner system comprising: a first translucent flexiblebag of a first predetermined size having a first color-coded indiciumand a closure device disposed at an open end thereof, the firsttranslucent flexible bag adapted for insertion into a pouch; and asecond translucent flexible bag of a second predetermined size having asecond color-coded indicium and a closure device disposed at an open endthereof, the second translucent flexible bag adapted for insertion intothe pouch.
 2. The coded pocket liner system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second color-coded indicium are disposed on a band that isadjacent the open end of the first and second translucent flexible bags.3. The coded pocket liner system of claim 1, further comprising: atactile indicium that can be identified by a user by touch.
 4. The codedpocket liner system of claim 1, further comprising: a third translucentflexible bag of a third predetermined size having a third color-codedindicium and a closure device disposed at an open end thereof, the thirdtranslucent flexible bag adapted for insertion into the pouch.
 5. Thecoded pocket liner system of claim 1, wherein the closure deviceincludes first and second magnetically attracted members that areadapted to keep each of the first and second translucent flexible bagsclosed.
 6. The coded pocket liner system of claim 1, wherein the closuredevice includes a drawstring slidably secured to the open end of each ofthe first and second translucent flexible bags and adapted to keep eachof the first and second translucent flexible bags closed.
 7. The codedpocket liner system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and secondtranslucent flexible bags includes a pleated flexible base to increaseholding volume of the bag.
 8. A coded pocket liner system comprising: afirst flexible bag of a first predetermined size having firstidentifying indicium and a closure device disposed at an open endthereof, the first flexible bag adapted for insertion and storage in apouch and adapted to contain accessories; and a second flexible bag of asecond predetermined size having second identifying indicium and aclosure device disposed at an open end thereof, the second flexible bagadapted for insertion and storage in the pouch and adapted to containaccessories.
 9. The coded pocket liner system of claim 8, wherein eachof the first and second translucent flexible bags are formed from amaterial that is at least partially translucent.
 10. The coded pocketliner system of claim 8, wherein the first and second indicium aredisposed on a band that is adjacent the open end of the first and secondidentifying flexible bags.
 11. The coded pocket liner system of claim 9,wherein the closure device includes a drawstring that slidably extendsthrough the band, and which is operable between a cinched position thatprevents items from leaving the bag and a relaxed position that allowsitems to be withdrawn from the bag.
 12. The coded pocket liner system ofclaim 9, wherein the closure device includes first and secondmagnetically attracted members disposed proximate the band that areadapted to keep each of the first and second translucent flexible bagsclosed.
 13. The coded pocket liner system of claim 8, wherein the firstand second identifying indicium are tactile indicium that can beidentified by a user by touch.
 14. The coded pocket liner system ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second identifying indicium arecolor-coded indicium that can be identified by a user by sight.
 15. Thecoded pocket liner system of claim 8, wherein the first identifyingindicium is a first audibly prerecorded message and the secondidentifying indicium is a second audibly prerecorded message.
 16. Thecoded pocket liner system of claim 8, wherein the first and secondidentifying indicium are operably connected with a light source.
 17. Amethod for identifying the contents of a pouch, the method comprising:providing a first translucent flexible bag of a first predetermined sizehaving a first indicium and a closure device disposed at an open endthereof; providing a second translucent flexible bag of a secondpredetermined size having a second identifying indicium and a closuredevice disposed at an open end thereof; inserting the first and secondtranslucent flexible bags into a pouch; determining the contents of thefirst translucent flexible bag by identifying the first indicium; anddetermining the contents of the second translucent flexible bag byidentifying the second indicium.
 18. The method of claim 17, the methodfurther comprising: providing a band adjacent the open end of the firstand second translucent flexible bags.
 19. The method of claim 18, themethod further comprising: providing a drawstring that is slidablyreceived in the band and which is operable between a cinched positionthat prevents items from leaving the bag and a relaxed position thatallows items to be withdrawn from the bag.
 20. The method of claim 18,the method further comprising: positioning first and second magneticallyattracted members on opposite sides of the bag proximate the band, thefirst and second magnetically attracted members being adapted to keepeach of the first and second translucent flexible bags closed.